Kolade-Otitoju made the remarks on Thursday while speaking during a programme on TVC Communications.

He also questioned why Governor Makinde and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, did not purchase presidential nomination forms from the Taminu Turaki-led PDP faction.

According to him, Makinde is aware that remaining outside the APM could affect his chances of appearing on the ballot.

“Why did Makinde and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, not obtain presidential forms from the Taminu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party?” he queried.

‘No Merger Without INEC’

Kolade-Otitoju further downplayed ongoing discussions about a political merger, insisting that no legitimate merger can happen without the involvement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Forget all the noise about the merger, you can’t do a merger without the regulator, INEC,” he said.

He compared the current political situation with the process that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, noting that the circumstances were entirely different.

“APC emerged through a merger around 2013, but not in this manner. An individual cannot simply rise after losing out in a political power struggle and then declare that there is a merger,” he added.

Professor Aina will take over from Is-haq Oloyede, whose second tenure as JAMB Registrar is expected to end on July 31, 2026.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu is confident that Aina will leverage his wealth of experience, expertise, and deep understanding of JAMB’s operations to further strengthen and advance the examination body beyond the achievements recorded under Oloyede’s leadership.

Naija News gathered that Aina, who turns 40 in July, is a renowned academic and systems specialist with vast experience in examination administration, digital infrastructure, and reforms within public institutions.

Profile Of Professor Aina

Professor Aina earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent. He also obtained an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, alongside a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, from Loughborough University. In addition, he completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

Currently a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Aina first worked with JAMB during his National Youth Service, where he gained valuable experience in admissions processing and data-based institutional operations. The experience reportedly shaped his continued contributions to examination reforms and systems improvement.

With more than 15 years of post-graduation experience, Aina has built a career around technology, governance, and institutional transformation, advising both federal and state governments on digital transition, system development, and operational reforms.

At age 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in Computer Engineering and is now set to become the youngest Registrar in JAMB’s history.

Professor Aina has also consulted for major examination agencies, including National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), as well as several state ministries of education, offering expertise in ICT systems, examination security, and digital process enhancement.

He is a member of several professional organisations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Before leaving the Labour Party (LP), Obi had endured prolonged internal crises and repeatedly complained that the turmoil within the party was distracting from both his political message and the goals of his supporters.

In a post shared on , Obi described the situation in the LP as a “contrived crisis,” insisting that neither he nor his supporters were prepared to be consumed by endless internal disputes.

According to him, his mission extended beyond the Labour Party and was centred on the broader political movement he represented.

“Our engagement is about Nigeria; they are trying to change our focus. What we want to do is not about Labour Party; it is about what the Obidients want to do about Nigeria,” Obi stated.

Drawing from his Christian beliefs, Obi explained that while he had made serious efforts to reform the party, he was unwilling to remain trapped in a dysfunctional environment.

He said, “I’m a Christian. Jesus said when you go into a city, try to change them, live with them, fast with them. If in the end you can’t, you come out and even wash the sand that is on your shoes.

“He didn’t say go there and die with them. I tell you, I’m making spirited efforts to change them (LP), but I’m not going to die with them.”

Convinced that the Labour Party was no longer politically viable, Obi dumped the LP and moved to the ADC ahead of the 2027 general election.

Interestingly, after his exit, the situation within the Labour Party shifted. An appellate court dismissed the leadership challenge filed by Julius Abure and upheld the legitimacy of the Nenadi Usman-led leadership structure.

However, the ADC, which Obi had hoped would provide political stability, soon became entangled in its own leadership and legal battles.

The disputes over the party’s structure triggered court cases and raised concerns within political circles over the coalition’s stability as preparations for the 2027 election intensified.

At the time he joined the ADC, Obi had expressed confidence in the party’s ability to help deliver a better Nigeria in 2027.

“ADC will not allow democracy to be destroyed. We are committed to unity, security, and a better Nigeria. We will resist any plot to rig the 2027 elections,” he declared.

Although opposition figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwankwaso united against the administration of President Bola Tinubu, questions persisted over who would eventually sacrifice political ambition as coalition talks deepened.

The battle for political dominance within the opposition may have influenced Obi’s eventual decision to dump the ADC for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Explaining the move, Obi said the decision followed deep reflection on Nigeria’s condition and the urgent need to reposition himself to contribute more effectively to national development.

“This decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading,” he explained.

Obi also blamed persistent internal disputes and legal battles within the ADC for his exit, drawing similarities to the circumstances that forced him out of the Labour Party.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I do not effectively participate in the electoral process,” he stated.

To gain more insight into Obi’s repeated party movements, Naija News spoke with the North Central Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Peter Ameh, who recently defected to the NDC.

Responding to questions over whether Obi’s repeated defections raise doubts about his willingness to stand and fight, Ameh defended the former governor, insisting that Obi’s actions are guided by principle and strategy.

According to him, Obi has consistently maintained his determination to remain on the ballot despite what he described as attempts to frustrate his political ambition.

Ameh alleged that the ADC was weighed down by legal and political complications capable of jeopardising Obi’s chances.

He further claimed that President Tinubu’s political camp viewed Obi, rather than Atiku, as the main threat because of concerns about another southern candidate emerging strongly in the race.

Ameh argued that Obi’s exit from both the LP and ADC helped neutralise crises within those parties, claiming the confusion surrounding the parties was politically orchestrated.

He maintained that Obi merely avoided political traps designed to block his participation in the election process and eventually found refuge in the NDC, which he described as free from internal crises and court cases.

According to Ameh, Obi’s principles have remained consistent throughout his political journey, stressing that the former governor is sincere, transparent, and genuinely interested in improving Nigeria.

He added that Obi could have chosen to retire comfortably after his personal successes but instead remains driven by a desire to fix Nigeria through prudent management of public resources and responsible governance.

Ameh also explained that his own decision to join the NDC was based on his belief that the ADC had already been infiltrated politically, while the NDC remained united and crisis-free.

He concluded by insisting that Obi’s movements across parties were not driven by selfish interests but by a determination to remain politically relevant and avoid any attempt to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.